pryingly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: * In a manner characterized by excessive or intrusive curiosity; in a way that attempts to discover private or confidential information, often in an unwelcome or meddlesome way.
Usage
The adverb "pryingly" is used to describe how an action, typically asking questions or looking at something, is performed. It modifies verbs to indicate that the action is done with prying curiosity. It is a formal and somewhat literary word.
Examples
- The reporter questioned the celebrity pryingly about her divorce.
- He glanced pryingly at the documents on my desk.
- The neighbors were watching pryingly from behind their curtains.
Advanced Usage
- As a sentence adverb (less common): It can sometimes modify an entire clause to describe the general manner of an interaction.
- Pryingly, the official inquired into every detail of our finances.
Variants and Related Words
- Pry (verb): To inquire or look into something with impertinent curiosity.
- It is rude to pry into other people's affairs.
- Prying (adjective): Characterized by impertinent curiosity.
- She hated his prying questions.
- Pry (noun): An act of prying; a tool for levering things open.
Synonyms
- Inquisitively
- Nosily
- Intrusively
- Meddlesomely
- Snoopily
Antonyms
- Discreetly
- Respectfully
- Unobtrusively
- Tactfully
Adverb
- in a curious and prying manner
- `Do you have a boyfriend,' she asked her prospective tenant pryingly